Product features
- Gain the ultimate gaming edge. Insane speeds up to 7,300MB/s (1TB - 4TB models) deliver top-tier performance with ridiculously short load times — for the elite gaming experience you’ve been waiting for.
- Heatsink for the win. All capacities have an optional heatsink version that's not only eye-catching, but also helps your rig maintain peak performance through your most intense gaming sessions.
- More room for more games. Capacities up to 8TB built with Western Digital TLC 3D NAND, means you get to keep more games at the ready — and get into the action even faster.
- Do more with WD_BLACK Dashboard. The downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only) monitors your drive’s health, lets you customize your RGB lighting, and, exclusively on the SN850X SSD, enables Game Mode 2.0 to transform your gaming experience.
- Future-forward features. The WD_BLACK SN850X SSD boasts a powerful suite of features, including Predictive Loading, Overhead Balancing, and Adaptive Thermal Management (ATM).
WD Black SN850X 8TB SSD Review
Overview
The WD Black SN850X 8TB SSD is a high-performance, high-capacity NVMe SSD designed for gaming and demanding applications. It features a PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 interface, sequential read speeds of up to 7,200 MB/s, and sequential write speeds of up to 6,600 MB/s. This drive is ideal for those who need exceptional speed and large storage capacity in a compact M.2 2280 form factor.
Performance
The WD Black SN850X 8TB SSD uses the latest WD TLC 3D BiCS 6 NAND flash memory, which provides a 40% smaller footprint compared to the previous BiCS 5 NAND. This upgrade allows for the 8TB capacity without compromising on performance or power efficiency. The drive contains a SanDisk in-house Gen 4 8-channel SSD controller and includes a DDR4 DRAM chip, ensuring optimal performance for both random and sustained writes.
Key Features
- Capacity: 8TB
- Interface: PCIe Gen 4.0 x4
- Read Speed: Up to 7,200 MB/s
- Write Speed: Up to 6,600 MB/s
- IOPS: Up to 1.2 million read and write IOPS
- Endurance: 4,800 TBW (terabytes written)
- Controller: SanDisk Gen 4 8-channel SSD controller
- DRAM: DDR4 DRAM chip
- NAND Flash: WD TLC 3D BiCS 6 NAND flash memory
- Form Factor: M.2 2280
- Heatsink Option: Available for improved thermal management
Pros
- High Performance: Excellent sequential read and write speeds make it ideal for gaming and demanding applications.
- Large Capacity: 8TB of storage is rare in consumer NVMe SSDs, making it a standout in its class.
- Compact Form Factor: The M.2 2280 form factor is compact and easy to install.
- Thermal Management: The heatsink option helps maintain performance by managing heat effectively.
- Future-Forward Features: Includes Predictive Loading, Overhead Balancing, and Adaptive Thermal Management for optimal performance and longevity.
Cons
- Expensive: The 8TB capacity comes at a premium price, making it less affordable for many users.
- Limited Availability: Only two 8TB NVMe SSDs are currently available on the market, making it a niche product.
- Usable Storage: The advertised 8TB capacity provides only 7.4GB of usable storage due to firmware and over-provisioning requirements.
Verdict
The WD Black SN850X 8TB SSD is a top-tier product for those who need high-performance storage with an exceptionally large capacity. While it is expensive, its performance and features make it a worthwhile investment for gaming, video editing, and other demanding applications. However, for those who do not require the full 8TB, using two 4TB SN850X drives might be a more cost-effective solution.
Features Table
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8TB |
| Interface | PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 |
| Read Speed | Up to 7,200 MB/s |
| Write Speed | Up to 6,600 MB/s |
| IOPS | Up to 1.2 million read and write IOPS |
| Endurance | 4,800 TBW (terabytes written) |
| Controller | SanDisk Gen 4 8-channel SSD controller |
| DRAM | DDR4 DRAM chip |
| NAND Flash | WD TLC 3D BiCS 6 NAND flash memory |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
| Heatsink Option | Available for improved thermal management |
| Usable Storage | Approximately 7.4GB due to firmware and over-provisioning requirements |
| Warranty | 5-year limited warranty |
| Compatibility | Compatible with PlayStation 5 and other high-capacity storage needs |